President Mahama Receives Democracy Cup, Calls for Vigilance in Protecting Democratic Values

President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to remain vigilant in protecting the nation’s democratic values

Speaking at the Jubilee House during the Democracy cup presentation ceremony on Tuesday, President Mahama commended the Speaker of Parliament’s initiative for creating an innovative platform that engages youth, inspires citizens, and raises awareness about democratic governance’s central role in Ghana’s peace, stability, and progress.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Members of Parliament, senior government officials, GFA President Kurt Okraku and senior football association officials, along with sponsors including Blue Star Life Study and other corporate partners.

President Mahama emphasized that democracy extends far beyond electoral processes, encompassing accountability, inclusion, fairness, and justice. He stressed that true democracy creates a society where every Ghanaian can aspire and achieve regardless of their background.

“Democracy is not merely about elections. It is about accountability. It is about inclusion. It is about fairness and justice. It is about creating a society where every Ghanaian can aspire and achieve, regardless of their background,” the President stated.

The President outlined the dual responsibilities that democracy demands from both leaders and citizens. 

He called on leaders to govern with humility while placing people’s interests above all else, warning against the temptations of partisanship, authoritarianism, and impunity.

For citizens, President Mahama emphasized that democracy requires vigilance and active participation, calling on people to hold leaders accountable, reject violence, value diversity, and defend freedoms secured by previous generations.

President Mahama specifically praised the Democracy Cup’s youth-focused approach, noting how football effectively communicates democratic principles to young people. He drew parallels between sports and democracy, explaining that both require rules, fairness, discipline, and mutual respect.

“This Democracy Cup is mighty because it speaks directly to the youth. Through football, it communicates that democracy, like sports, demands rules, it demands fairness, discipline, and respect for one another,” he said.

The President delivered a direct message to Ghana’s youth, describing democracy as both their inheritance and responsibility. 

He urged the youth to cherish, nurture, and defend democratic values with courage and conviction when called upon.

Reflecting on Ghana’s democratic journey since 1992, President Mahama acknowledged that while challenges have emerged along the way, remarkable progress has been achieved. 

He noted that constitutional democracy has provided frameworks for peaceful power transitions, human rights protection, civic freedom expansion, and citizen participation in shaping national destiny.

The President concluded by accepting the Democracy Cup not as personal recognition but on behalf of all Ghanaians, whose resilience and faith continue to sustain the nation’s democracy. 

He emphasized that democracy represents a living process rather than a single event, requiring collective effort to protect and strengthen for future generations.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD